Columbia Omni-Heat Baselayer Review

The Good

The Bad

Breathability was a bit less than expected.

High aerobic activity resulted in trapped sweat.

THE VERDICT

Columbia’s Omni-Heat base layer was one that I grabbed often for its tight comfy fit. I would pull this layer with me on a day when I was looking for a bit less aerobic activity since breathability was slightly less than expected, in which instance it kept me very comfortable and definitely odor free. Bottom Line: it’s a layer to have in the quiver if you are not after an intense aerobic workout.

FULL REVIEW

Columbia certainly has come out with something that catches the eye with a silver dot matrix lining against the skin that felt soft and kept me warm. While both cycling and snowshoe running, I did work up some pretty intense sweat that hovered on my skin, at which point I felt wet but not overly cold at any point during my winter tests. The fabric is very soft for a blend of Polyester married to Elastane which gave it some stretch. The chest zip was a bonus, though I think it could benefit from a longer pull for more substantial venting. The biggest drawback that I found was that after long bike rides in the winter I noticed a fair amount of moisture trapped on my skin. One of the biggest bonuses was that after several months of wear testing, the Omni Heat still maintained its cool look and compelling softness, and also continued to keep me odor-free.